Top Chef’s Kristen Kish, Richard Blaise and Brooke Williamson.Photo: David Moir/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Chuck Hodes/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Matthias Clamer/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Top Chefis back!
The21st season of the beloved cooking competition series kicks offon Wednesday night, March 20, on Bravo, bringing 15 new chefs to Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin, for a delicious run.
As we gear up for the visual feast that’s to come this week, check in with all of the pastTop Chefwinners, then and now.
01of 19Season 1: Harold DieterleHarold Dieterle on Top Chef and now.Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Craig Barritt/Getty ImagesThe chef who started it all in on the debut season in San Francisco in 2006, Italian American Harold Dieterle beat Tiffani Faison to be named the first Top Chef.Afterward, he went on to open two New York City restaurants, the Asian-influenced Perilla and Kin Shop, and release a cookbook,Kitchen Notebook.These days the 46-year-old is principal at his events company,HD Hospitality.
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Season 1: Harold Dieterle
Harold Dieterle on Top Chef and now.Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Craig Barritt/Getty Images
The chef who started it all in on the debut season in San Francisco in 2006, Italian American Harold Dieterle beat Tiffani Faison to be named the first Top Chef.
Afterward, he went on to open two New York City restaurants, the Asian-influenced Perilla and Kin Shop, and release a cookbook,Kitchen Notebook.These days the 46-year-old is principal at his events company,HD Hospitality.
02of 19Season 2: Ilan HallIlan Hall on Top Chef and now.Jemal Countess/WireImage; Jesse Grant/Getty ImagesIn its second season, the show traveled to Los Angeles and crowned young fusion foodie Ilan Hall the champ over frenemy Marcel Vigneron.Hall opened The Gorbals restaurants in Los Angeles and New York City, eventually closing both and debuting his latest hotspot, Ramen Hood, in Los Angeles in 2015. Now 41, he hostedKnife Fighton Esquire and has appeared on a handful of cooking shows since, most recentlyFood Network’sTournament of Champions.
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Season 2: Ilan Hall
Ilan Hall on Top Chef and now.Jemal Countess/WireImage; Jesse Grant/Getty Images
In its second season, the show traveled to Los Angeles and crowned young fusion foodie Ilan Hall the champ over frenemy Marcel Vigneron.
Hall opened The Gorbals restaurants in Los Angeles and New York City, eventually closing both and debuting his latest hotspot, Ramen Hood, in Los Angeles in 2015. Now 41, he hostedKnife Fighton Esquire and has appeared on a handful of cooking shows since, most recentlyFood Network’sTournament of Champions.
03of 19Season 3: Hung HuynhHung Huynh on Top Chef and now.Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; David Moir/Bravo via Getty ImagesMiami set the scene for Hung Huynh, raised in his family’s Massachusetts restaurant, to best Dale Levitski in season 3.The globe-trotter, now 46, was eventually tapped to head up the trendy Catch chain that began in New York City, and currently works as a consultant and private chef, with a goal to “revolutionize the way restaurants, farmers, cooks, and communities are integrated for the benefit of all,“according to his website.
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Season 3: Hung Huynh
Hung Huynh on Top Chef and now.Virginia Sherwood/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; David Moir/Bravo via Getty Images
Miami set the scene for Hung Huynh, raised in his family’s Massachusetts restaurant, to best Dale Levitski in season 3.
The globe-trotter, now 46, was eventually tapped to head up the trendy Catch chain that began in New York City, and currently works as a consultant and private chef, with a goal to “revolutionize the way restaurants, farmers, cooks, and communities are integrated for the benefit of all,“according to his website.
04of 19Season 4: Stephanie IzardStephanie Izard on Top Chef and now.Chuck Hodes/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Michael Tullberg/Getty ImagesTop Chef’s first female winner, Stephanie Izard, stuck around Chicago after beating Richard Blais and Lisa Fernandes to open her inventive American Girl and the Goat restaurant, later expanding the mini-empire into Little Goat Diner, the Chinese-American Duck Duck Goat and Peruvian-inspired Cabra.The 47-year-oldJames Beard Award winnerhas since expanded Girl and the Goat to Los Angeles and returned toTop Chefas a judge, in addition to competing on the latest season of Food Network’sTournament of Champions.
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Season 4: Stephanie Izard
Stephanie Izard on Top Chef and now.Chuck Hodes/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
Top Chef’s first female winner, Stephanie Izard, stuck around Chicago after beating Richard Blais and Lisa Fernandes to open her inventive American Girl and the Goat restaurant, later expanding the mini-empire into Little Goat Diner, the Chinese-American Duck Duck Goat and Peruvian-inspired Cabra.
The 47-year-oldJames Beard Award winnerhas since expanded Girl and the Goat to Los Angeles and returned toTop Chefas a judge, in addition to competing on the latest season of Food Network’sTournament of Champions.
05of 19Season 5: Hosea RosenbergHosea Rosenberg on Top Chef and now.Michael Lavine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Hosea Rosenberg InstagramNew Mexico native Hosea Rosenberg topped season 5 runners-up Carla Hall and Stefan Richter to take the title in N.Y.C.He eventually settled in Colorado, where his Blackbelly restaurant centers on butchery and his Santo eatery showcases modern New Mexico cuisine. He spends his time outside of the kitchen focused onfinding a cure for Multicentric Carpotarsal Osteolysis, a rare genetic disorder his young daughter Sophie was diagnosed with as a toddler.
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Season 5: Hosea Rosenberg
Hosea Rosenberg on Top Chef and now.Michael Lavine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Hosea Rosenberg Instagram
New Mexico native Hosea Rosenberg topped season 5 runners-up Carla Hall and Stefan Richter to take the title in N.Y.C.
He eventually settled in Colorado, where his Blackbelly restaurant centers on butchery and his Santo eatery showcases modern New Mexico cuisine. He spends his time outside of the kitchen focused onfinding a cure for Multicentric Carpotarsal Osteolysis, a rare genetic disorder his young daughter Sophie was diagnosed with as a toddler.
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Season 6: Michael Voltaggio
Michael Voltaggio on Top Chef and now.Justin Stephens/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Jesse Grant/Getty Images
Season 6 in Las Vegas came with an interesting twist: two brothers competing against one another, with the ever-experimental Michael Voltaggio beating his fine-dining-focused brother Bryan (and chef Kevin Gillespie) in the finale.
The moment didn’t hurt the brothers' relationship, however: in the years since, the Voltaggios have opened several restaurants together around the U.S. and even had a Food Network competition show,Battle of the Brothers.
07of 19Season 7: Kevin SbragaKevin Sbraga on Top Chef and now.In Washington, D.C., New Jersey’s Kevin Sbraga took down fellow finalists Ed Cotton and Angelo Sosa, going on to open new restaurants in Philadelphia and Jacksonville.Though he eventually wound down his eateries, in 2022, heannouncedhe’d be back in the kitchen with Sonny & Sons chicken in Riverdale, Maryland’s Le Fantome Food Hall.
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Season 7: Kevin Sbraga
Kevin Sbraga on Top Chef and now.
In Washington, D.C., New Jersey’s Kevin Sbraga took down fellow finalists Ed Cotton and Angelo Sosa, going on to open new restaurants in Philadelphia and Jacksonville.
Though he eventually wound down his eateries, in 2022, heannouncedhe’d be back in the kitchen with Sonny & Sons chicken in Riverdale, Maryland’s Le Fantome Food Hall.
08of 19Season 8: Richard BlaisRichard Blais on Top Chef and now.Chuck Hodes/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; FOX via Getty ImagesSeason 8 ofTop Chefwas the first all-stars edition, bringing together seven seasons' worth of fan favorites and runners-up who all fell to whiz kid Richard Blais.In the years since, the 52-year-old has been pretty much everywhere, including the judges' table onTop Chef.He has a handful of restaurants around the country, including San Diego’s Juniper & Ivy and Crack Shack, and is currently serving as a judge and mentor on Gordon Ramsay’sNext Level Chef.
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Season 8: Richard Blais
Richard Blais on Top Chef and now.Chuck Hodes/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; FOX via Getty Images
Season 8 ofTop Chefwas the first all-stars edition, bringing together seven seasons' worth of fan favorites and runners-up who all fell to whiz kid Richard Blais.
In the years since, the 52-year-old has been pretty much everywhere, including the judges' table onTop Chef.He has a handful of restaurants around the country, including San Diego’s Juniper & Ivy and Crack Shack, and is currently serving as a judge and mentor on Gordon Ramsay’sNext Level Chef.
09of 19Season 9: Paul QuiPaul Qui on Top Chef and now.Virginia Sherwood/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; John Parra/Getty ImagesDeep in the heart of Texas, chef Paul Qui earned victory over Sarah Grueneberg — and earned serious accolades from judge Tom Colicchio, who called him the “most talented chef that we’ve ever had on the show.“He went on to open restaurants in Austin and beyond, but made headlines in 2016 whenhe was arrested and charged with assault and unlawful restraintfollowing an incident with his then-girlfriend and her son. Though charges were later dropped and he entered rehab, the situation had a lasting impact on his legacy, with his restaurant openings since entangled with his arrest, accordingto Eater. In late 2022, the 43-year-old opened a Japanese-influenced spot in Denver.
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Season 9: Paul Qui
Paul Qui on Top Chef and now.Virginia Sherwood/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; John Parra/Getty Images
Deep in the heart of Texas, chef Paul Qui earned victory over Sarah Grueneberg — and earned serious accolades from judge Tom Colicchio, who called him the “most talented chef that we’ve ever had on the show.”
He went on to open restaurants in Austin and beyond, but made headlines in 2016 whenhe was arrested and charged with assault and unlawful restraintfollowing an incident with his then-girlfriend and her son. Though charges were later dropped and he entered rehab, the situation had a lasting impact on his legacy, with his restaurant openings since entangled with his arrest, accordingto Eater. In late 2022, the 43-year-old opened a Japanese-influenced spot in Denver.
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Season 10: Kristen Kish
Kristen Kish on Top Chef and now.David Moir/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Kelly Sullivan/Getty Images
Seoul-born Kristen Kish’s rise to the top in Seattle was a first: she was eliminated in week 11 but cooked her way back into the competition viaLast Chance Kitchen,ultimately beating pal Brooke Williamson.
She is stepping in as host and judge on season 21 ofTop Chef,following hostPadma Lakshmi’s exit.
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Season 11: Nicholas Elmi
Nicholas Elmi on Top Chef and now.
12of 19Season 12: Mei LinMei Lin on Top Chef and now.Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesMei Linwas working at former champ Michael Voltaggio’s restaurant ink. when she dominated onTop Chef’s Boston season, besting Gregory Gourdet in the final.Lin, who grew up in her parents' Chinese restaurant in Michigan, went on to open two successful Los Angeles spots herself: Nightshade and Daybird. The 38-year-old is another star who went on to win of Food Network’sTournament of Champions, too.
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Season 12: Mei Lin
Mei Lin on Top Chef and now.Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Mei Linwas working at former champ Michael Voltaggio’s restaurant ink. when she dominated onTop Chef’s Boston season, besting Gregory Gourdet in the final.
Lin, who grew up in her parents' Chinese restaurant in Michigan, went on to open two successful Los Angeles spots herself: Nightshade and Daybird. The 38-year-old is another star who went on to win of Food Network’sTournament of Champions, too.
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Season 13: Jeremy Ford
Jeremy Ford on Top Chef and now.Dale Berman/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Scott Roth/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Miami’s Jeremy Ford took the crown on the California season, winning over Amar Santana.
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Season 14: Brooke Williamson
Brooke Williamson on Top Chef and now.Matthias Clamer/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Rick Kern/Getty Images
Brooke Williamson returned on the Charleston edition that mixed new contestants with returning standouts, ultimately beating friend and fellowTop Chefveteran Shirley Chung in the finale after being eliminated on episode 11 and cooking her way back inLast Chance Kitchen.
15of 19Season 15: Joe FlammJoe Flamm on Top Chef and now.Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Joe Flamm InstagramChicago-raised Italian chef Joe Flamm was another winner who spent time inLast Chance Kitchenbefore coming back and emerging victorious, topping Adrienne Cheatham to take the Colorado crown.After COVID-related delays he opened his Rose Mary restaurant in Chicago, melding his grandmothers' Croatian and Italian roots. In 2022 he also began overseeing the Chicago’s BLVD Steakhouse, in addition to judgingTop Chef.In late 2023, he announced plans to open another eatery in the Windy City.
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Season 15: Joe Flamm
Joe Flamm on Top Chef and now.Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Joe Flamm Instagram
Chicago-raised Italian chef Joe Flamm was another winner who spent time inLast Chance Kitchenbefore coming back and emerging victorious, topping Adrienne Cheatham to take the Colorado crown.
After COVID-related delays he opened his Rose Mary restaurant in Chicago, melding his grandmothers' Croatian and Italian roots. In 2022 he also began overseeing the Chicago’s BLVD Steakhouse, in addition to judgingTop Chef.In late 2023, he announced plans to open another eatery in the Windy City.
16of 19Season 16: Kelsey Barnard ClarkKelsey Barnard Clark on Top Chef and now.Smallz & Raskind/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; David Moir/Bravo via Getty ImagesOne of the first Southern chefs to shine onTop Chef,Kelsey Barnard Clark beat Sara Bradley in the latter’s native Kentucky with her consistent cooking.Already at the helm of her KBC restaurant and catering company in Alabama when she joined the show, she released a cookbook in 2021 and competed on Food Network’sTournament of Champions.
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Season 16: Kelsey Barnard Clark
Kelsey Barnard Clark on Top Chef and now.Smallz & Raskind/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; David Moir/Bravo via Getty Images
One of the first Southern chefs to shine onTop Chef,Kelsey Barnard Clark beat Sara Bradley in the latter’s native Kentucky with her consistent cooking.
Already at the helm of her KBC restaurant and catering company in Alabama when she joined the show, she released a cookbook in 2021 and competed on Food Network’sTournament of Champions.
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Season 17: Melissa King
Melissa King on Top Chef and now.Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images; Suzi Pratt/Getty Images
In another all-stars season set in L.A., San Francisco’s Melissa King beat Bryan Voltaggio and Stephanie Cmar with her fresh flavors —andshe won fan favorite, too. She donated that $10,000 prize to Asian Americans For Equality, Asian Youth Center, The Trevor Project and National Black Justice Coalition.
18of 19Season 18: Gabe EralesGabe Erales on Top Chef and now.Stephanie Diani/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images; Gabe Erales InstagramGabe Erales, who trained at the world-famous Noma before opening his own Texas restaurant, became known for his sauces, winning the Portland season over Shota Nakajima and Dawn Burrell. He was the first Mexican chef to win the series.Immediately after his season aired, however,he was fired from his position at Austin’s Comedorfor “repeated violations of the company’s ethics policy as it relates to harassment of women,” according to his boss Philip Speer. He apologized in an open letter on Instagram, andTop Chefjudge Padma Lakshmi publiclycalled on Bravo to investigate the allegations. In 2023 he opened a new Mexican restaurant in Austin.
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Season 18: Gabe Erales
Gabe Erales on Top Chef and now.Stephanie Diani/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images; Gabe Erales Instagram
Gabe Erales, who trained at the world-famous Noma before opening his own Texas restaurant, became known for his sauces, winning the Portland season over Shota Nakajima and Dawn Burrell. He was the first Mexican chef to win the series.
Immediately after his season aired, however,he was fired from his position at Austin’s Comedorfor “repeated violations of the company’s ethics policy as it relates to harassment of women,” according to his boss Philip Speer. He apologized in an open letter on Instagram, andTop Chefjudge Padma Lakshmi publiclycalled on Bravo to investigate the allegations. In 2023 he opened a new Mexican restaurant in Austin.
19of 19Season 19 and 20: Buddha LoBuddha Lo on Top Chef and now.Emily Shur/Bravo via Getty Images; Stephanie Diani/BravoAussieBuddha Lo’s cooking in Houston was literally out of this world (remember that NASA-inspired dessert?!), leading him through a steady season and to victory over Evelyn Garcia and Sarah Welch in the emotional finale.He did it all over again in season 20, returning for a world all-stars edition in London that he dominated. There, Lo beat fellowTop Chefstandout Sara Bradley andTop Chef Mexicowinner Gabri Rodriguez.Now chef at the 12-seat Huso restaurant in New York City — which reopened last springfollowing a fire— Lo also has another new project:raising his twin daughterswith wife Rebekah Pedler.
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Season 19 and 20: Buddha Lo
Buddha Lo on Top Chef and now.Emily Shur/Bravo via Getty Images; Stephanie Diani/Bravo
AussieBuddha Lo’s cooking in Houston was literally out of this world (remember that NASA-inspired dessert?!), leading him through a steady season and to victory over Evelyn Garcia and Sarah Welch in the emotional finale.
He did it all over again in season 20, returning for a world all-stars edition in London that he dominated. There, Lo beat fellowTop Chefstandout Sara Bradley andTop Chef Mexicowinner Gabri Rodriguez.
Now chef at the 12-seat Huso restaurant in New York City — which reopened last springfollowing a fire— Lo also has another new project:raising his twin daughterswith wife Rebekah Pedler.
source: people.com
